Seven-Character Poem in Running Script Written by Myself《行书自作七律诗轴》

Wen Zhengming (1470–1559)
Born Wen Bi, with courtesy names Zhengming and later Xing and Zhengzhong, Wen Zhengming was a renowned painter, calligrapher, and poet from Changzhou (modern-day Suzhou, Jiangsu Province). He was a central figure in the Wu School of Painting and Calligraphy, which included luminaries such as Shen Zhou, Tang Yin, and Qiu Ying, collectively referred to as the “Four Masters of the Wu School.”

In his early years, Wen studied painting under Shen Zhou, calligraphy with Li Yingzhen, and literature under Wu Kuan. Despite his dedication, he struggled to succeed in the imperial examinations. It was not until his fifties, through the recommendation of Li Kecheng, Governor of Jiangsu, that he was appointed to the prestigious Hanlin Academy, earning him the title “Wen Daizhao.” Known for his cautious diligence, Wen dedicated himself to refining his skills in poetry, painting, and calligraphy, leaving a profound legacy in Chinese art history.

“Seven-Character Poem in Running Script Written by Myself”
Wen Zhengming’s calligraphy, celebrated for its elegance and depth, remained exceptional even in his later years. This work, created when Wen was in his eighties, exemplifies his mastery of running script. Standing nearly three and a half meters tall, with characters approximately 25 centimeters in size, it is a rare example of large-scale calligraphy from his oeuvre.

Wen’s running script reflects influences from the Huairen Collection and Wang Xizhi’s Preface to the Sacred Teaching in its smaller forms, characterized by a gentle and graceful style often referred to as the “Jade Edition of the Sacred Teaching.” For larger scripts, his work was informed by Huang Tingjian’s bold and energetic approach.

In this scroll, Wen employed a small, stiff brush to craft the oversized characters, which introduced slight irregularities in stroke transitions and closures. However, these imperfections imbue the piece with a raw authenticity and a spirited quality, elevating it as a masterful and unique creation.

文徵明（1470－1559），原名壁，字徵明，后以字行，更字徵仲，号衡山，长洲（今江苏苏州）人。吴门画派、吴门书派的重要人物，与沈周、唐寅、仇英并称为“吴门四家”。早年随沈周学画、李应桢学书、吴宽学文。一生科甲不利，五十多岁才经江苏巡抚李克诚举荐得任翰林院待诏，故人称“文待诏”。他性格谨慎勤奋，致力于诗文书画，在书画史上影响很大。

文徵明书法功力深厚，八十多岁仍能作蝇头小楷。他诸体皆擅，小行书主学《怀仁集王羲之书圣教序》，温润劲秀，有“玉版圣教”之称。大字行书则主宗黄庭坚，这幅《行书自作七律诗轴》即是此类力作。该作高近三米五，每字达到二十五厘米左右，如此巨制传世仅寥寥数件。从笔画形态看，他用硬毫小笔写大字，故转折收笔有不到处。然而正是这些不到之处反增真率生辣之意，为其上乘佳作。